Pats have soared with undrafted players

Running back Ralph Webb is trying to make the Patriots as an undrafted free agent. AP PHOTO

Sentinel and Enterprise staff photos can be ordered by visiting our SmugMug site.

Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio likes to say the team will "turn over every stone" to find talent, and players who will fit into the system.

NFL notebook

One of the ways that's translated is football's third-longest streak -- at 14 years -- with an undrafted free agent making the initial 53-man roster. Only the Colts (19 straight) and Chargers (21) have established longer runs.

Is the Patriots' success a matter of Bill Belichick's staff, namely Caserio and director of college scouting Monti Ossenfort, being able to identify players that fit the system? The coach thinks so.

"Yeah, we try to bring in as many competitive players as we can.

It's early, but New York Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold looks like the real deal. He was taken with the No. 3 overall pick. AP PHOTO

Sentinel and Enterprise staff photos can be ordered by visiting our SmugMug site.

It's a credit to the people that identify them, it's a credit to the players that work hard enough to take advantage of the opportunities that they get to be able to earn that spot," Belichick said. "Yeah, (there are) a lot of things involved for that to happen. In the end, it's really the player who earns the spot, not somebody on the personnel staff, but the players do have to be identified. That can come in a lot of different areas."

After two weeks of camp and two preseason games, who might be the undrafted player to extend the streak? Will one?

What seemed early to be a fairly safe bet is a bit more of a long shot, but that could change if someone stands out in Carolina this week or makes a last-minute push the final week before the rosters are trimmed. In order, here's who we have as the front-runners to make the opening 53.

JACKSON: The corner stood out in minicamp and carried that momentum into training camp. He's currently in a battle with fellow rookies and others with an edge in experience.

An honorable mention All-Big Ten selection last year with three interceptions and seven pass breakups, Jackson has shown an ability to play press-man out on the boundary. At 6-foot-1, 198 pounds, he's physical, feisty and competitive. He picked off Tom Brady during Monday's workout, and also had two other pass breakups in the practice.

"Just trying to stay consistent, make plays, and get better," Jackson said last week.

While the Patriots top defenders played well against the Eagles, the second tier had a few issues. Jackson can be lumped into that group, with Nate Sudfeld throwing for 312 yards.

Jackson still has a lot to learn, but he remains the best shot among the undrafteds to snag a spot. With Eric Rowe and Jason McCourty both on expiring contracts, the Pats might want to keep the youngster and start grooming him, like they did Malcolm Butler. At worse, he's on the practice squad.

WEBB: He scored two touchdowns in the first preseason game against the Redskins. That opened some eyes, but it's still an uphill battle. He's behind too many backs and still hasn't taken any reps with the first teamers.

"I'm just making the most of whatever opportunities I get," said Webb, the undersized back who really accelerates through the hole. "Just trying to do everything the coaches coach me up to do and do it to the best of my ability."

Thursday against the Eagles, he was once again in late, getting no carries with Brady and the first team. He had 15 yards on five attempts and didn't light it up quite like the previous week.

With Rex Burkhead hurt and Sony Michel having knee surgery, Webb has an outside shot. Meanwhile, he is just happy to have a chance.

HARRIS: He left Tuesday's practice with an undisclosed injury, but did get in against the Eagles. "Toolbox Trent," as he was known at Miami, was used in multiple roles along the defensive front seven. (He was primarily a pass rusher, leading the team with 8.5 sacks.)

Belichick does like his versatility, along with his intelligence. Harris is also a special teams contributor, but as an undersized defensive end (6-2, 255 pounds) he is at the back end of the depth chart looking up.

ATKINS: He appears to be more of a practice squad candidate, given the depth up front after the acquisition of Danny Shelton. They also have Malcom Brown. With Lawrence Guy and Vincent Valentine, it's more of a numbers game. He's looked good during practices in terms of one-on-one battles, but unless there are injuries, the 6-4, 320-pound Atkins isn't likely to crack the 53-man roster.

MOORE: The cornerback hasn't stood out quite like Jackson, but he's been noticed most on special teams play. Thursday night, he brought Rashad Davis down on the 2-yard line attempting to return a punt. Davis collected the ball on the 13, was boxed in and wound up stuck thanks to Moore. The Pats do have a number of excellent core special teams players. Can he crack that group?

BOJORQUEZ: The New Mexico product has a huge leg. That's not up for debate. Being a punter in the NFL, however, isn't just about bombing it for distance. It's about ball placement. The fact he hasn't punted in either game would seem to indicate Ryan Allen may have already locked up the competition, although Belichick said on Friday if he's still on the roster, technically that means there's still a competition. Why hasn't Bojorquez been given a shot in the games? He has to earn the shot, something he hasn't shown in practice. So unless Bojorquez gets a chance in Carolina, this one's over. The fat lady has sung.

BRUTAL START

Brady's former blind side protector Matt Light, who will be formally inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame the weekend of Sept. 29-30 when the Patriots host the Dolphins at Gillette Stadium, hated to see rookie tackle Isaiah Wynn tear his Achilles against the Eagles, ending his first season.

"That's a bad deal. You always hope when you have an injury, it's something you can work back through," Light said when reached on Friday, "but that's one of those you've just gotta accept it immediately and just do whatever you can to get back. It is what it is."

The 300-plus pound Wynn played through a torn labrum in his left shoulder last year while at Georgia. He got that repaired after the season.

"I don't know what he's battled in the past. You don't know what he's been able to overcome. Some guys have harder times than others," said Light. "Look, as far as surgeries go, I mean, you saw a guy like Vince (Wilfork) deal with that injury and come back.

"But I'm sure he'll be hanging around a lot, listening in on meetings and seeing a lot of stuff," Light added, "so the mental side of the game is going to be big for him between now and next year when hopefully he'll get back out there."

THREE FOR A QUARTER?

Even though Teddy Bridgewater has looked very good in the Jets' two preseason games, Sam Darnold, the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft, has also impressed enough that the thinking in New York is the rookie is in line to get the starting job.

"I think they've seen enough to know the young QB is legit," said former Patriot and former Jets offensive lineman Damien Woody, now an ESPN analyst. "He's advanced for his age. He's the youngest QB in the league, and I think he's going to be the Week 1 starter. He's the real deal."

The Jets could still ease Darnold in slowly, but he seems ready to handle the job.

"Now, Teddy Bridgewater has probably played the best so far, but if it's close, you're probably going to have to give the young QB the edge," said Woody, reached on Friday. "It's just a nice QB situation going on with the Jets."

Along with Darnold and Bridgewater, the Jets also have veteran Josh McCown. They have the cap space to keep all three, but will they?

ODD BELICHICK BOOSTER

Interesting remarks made last week by former Steelers Pro Bowl cornerback Ryan Clark.

During one of ESPN's debate shows, there was a discussion revolving around the greatest NFL coach of all time. The analyst actually put up a well-stated fight for Belichick.

"There are things done in today's football to create parity. Every team needs to have a chance. This is why the Super Bowl moves around now, because they want every team to feel like they have an opportunity to host the Super Bowl and play in it at the same time," Clark said. "Bill Belichick has totally destroyed that. Every single year when you come into the season, you think the Patriots are the favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Every single time. It's because he can adjust each and every week to be the best team on the field.

"Bill Belichick recreates himself every single Sunday."

CORNER GETS 'EM TALKING

Jalen Ramsey's quarterback word association in GQ.com drew a lot of attention last week. Most quarterbacks have stayed out of it, not wanting to respond to his commentary on their abilities.

While Matt Ryan wasn't available for comment, Falcons coach Dan Quinn summed up the organization's view about the Jaguars cornerback calling Ryan "overrated."

"No. 1, we don't rely on anybody outside of our building to help get us ready," Quinn said, via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"What we do is about us. Our attitude, our style, and so the bulletin-board material you can throw to somebody else. For us, it's about our team and the way that we go. We don't have to wait on anybody else to get us real pumped up to play well. We are already ready to rock."

Welcome to your discussion forum: Sign in with a Disqus account or your social networking account for your comment to be posted immediately, provided it meets the guidelines. (READ HOW.)
Comments made here are the sole responsibility of the person posting them; these comments do not reflect the opinion of The Sentinel and Enterprise. So keep it civil.